Three weeks ago I ran a speed session that I hadn’t done for seven years. The 10 x 250 metres, interspersed with a 100 metre jog, is a tough workout. Three weeks ago I completed it with an average of 38.9 seconds per 250 metres. Today I brought that down to a 37.6 second average. And I felt a lot stronger during the sprints than I did last time, despite feeling below par during the warm up.

Looking back through my log books, I noticed that in 2005 I did 6 x 250 metres on the same course and averaged the same 37.6 seconds per sprint. On that occasion I ran the City to Surf a couple of weeks later in 56:16. I’m quite sure I won’t be that fast in Sunday week’s race, but I think I should go under the hour.

Tuesday’s filming session with ESPN went well. With all the set up and travelling to different filming sites, it ended up being an eight hour day. The documentary will hopefully appear in Australia in late September. I believe it will appear elsewhere too, though not in the US. Besides posting the appearance date in advance, I will also attempt to acquire a link that enables those in the US to view the one hour program.

Interestingly, on this day two years ago I passed the 10,000 km mark of my world run. And then, on this day one year ago I passed the 24,000 mark.

On This Day

Jul 31, 2012

Distance today = 52.24 km; Total distance = 10,016.31 km; Location = Cherokee Pass, Missouri (16 km south of) – 37 21.827′ N, 90 18.943′ W; Start time = 0827 Finish time = 1643

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205224950

Sorry everyone, I just wrote a long blog and lost the lot when the internet cut out. I will just write an abridged version now.

Today included seeing lots of dead armadillos on the road – they look like a cross between a possum and a tortoise. I also reached the 10,000 km milestone, and in just seven months. The girls produced a banner to include in the photos. Have a look at these on the Home page when they’re up.

Thanks to Aaron from the Longhorn Motel for a generous discount on the room rate tonight. It’s much appreciated.

PS I failed to click the watch on properly this morning, but have added the missing 240 metres back in to the Garmin data. The tracker is showing me in Cherokee Pass, but my official position is about 16 km to the south.

Jul 31, 2013

Distance for today = 50.09 km; Total distance = 24,043.06 km; Location = Leasingham, SA – 33 58.977’ S, 138 39.084′ E; Start time = 0824, Finish time = 1610

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/351088188

I passed the 24,000 km milestone early in today’s run. Not far to go now. It was a hilly run, through classic Clare Valley wine country – doesn’t get much better than that.

Quinny and Reefton drove me out to my starting point today, and Bernie and Lesley acted as support crew this afternoon, providing me with a drink and then picking me up.

Carmel was taking some photos during the middle of the day, when she met Scooter Smith from Cardinham Estate. He had seen me on the AFL Footy Show, and ended up giving Carmel a whole case of red wine. What a fantastic gesture. I’m looking forward to trying them over the coming days and weeks. We also received a case of wines from Kemeny’s in Bondi a few weeks back. I’m lucky to have such fine running fuel provided free of charge.